Search Yolo County Jail Records

Yolo County maintains booking and release records through the Sheriff's Office. These records cover anyone arrested and processed into the county jail system. If you want to know who is in custody or when someone was released, the Sheriff provides several ways to get that info. California law requires disclosure of basic booking details. That includes name, arrest date, charges, and bail. The county does not have a live online inmate search at this moment, but you can call the jail or submit a records request to the crime desk. Historical data requires a formal public records request. Processing time depends on how old the records are and how busy the office is.

Jail Operations

The Yolo County Sheriff runs the Monroe Detention Center in Woodland. That's where all bookings happen. The jail holds pretrial detainees and people serving county sentences. If you need to locate an inmate, call the jail directly. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and what their status is. Phone inquiries are free.

The Sheriff's jail services page has general info on visiting hours, policies, and contact numbers. Visits require ID and may need to be scheduled in advance. Rules change from time to time, so check the website before you go. Some visits are in person, others are by video call.

Crime Desk and Records

For written records, contact the Yolo County Sheriff's crime desk. They handle requests for arrest reports, booking logs, and related documents. You can submit a request in person, by mail, or through the form on their website. Fees apply based on the type of record and number of pages.

California law mandates a 10-day response time under Government Code 7923.610. That doesn't mean you get the records in 10 days. It means the agency has to respond and tell you if they can fulfill your request. Complex or voluminous requests take longer. If they need extra time, they'll let you know.

What's in the Records

Public booking records show the arrestee's name, age, and physical description. You'll see when and where they were arrested. Charges are listed along with bail amounts if set. Release info tells you when someone left custody and how. That might be bail, own recognizance, transfer to state prison, or case dismissal. Some details are withheld if they compromise an active investigation. That's allowed under Government Code 7923.600.

Victim names and sensitive case facts may be redacted. Don't expect to get every detail right away. Law enforcement has discretion to protect ongoing cases.

Fees and Payment

There's no fee to call the jail and ask about an inmate. That's free. But if you want printed reports or certified copies, you'll pay a fee. Typical costs are a few dollars per page. The crime desk can give you an exact quote when you submit your request. Payment methods vary. Some offices take cash or check only. Others accept cards. Call ahead to confirm.

Booking Process

When someone gets arrested in Yolo County, they're taken to the Monroe Detention Center. Staff take fingerprints, photos, and personal info. They check for warrants and enter the data into the system. This process takes a few hours. Once it's done, the person's name is in the records. That's when family can start calling for info.

Bail is set according to a schedule unless a judge changes it. If bail is posted, release happens after staff verify payment and finish paperwork. Releases can take several hours even after bail clears. Don't expect instant turnaround. The system has built-in delays.

Statewide Systems

For statewide criminal history, go through the California Department of Justice. They maintain a master database of arrests and convictions across the state. You can request your own record for a fee. Third parties can't get someone else's rap sheet unless they're authorized by law. Processing takes a couple weeks.

If you're looking for someone in state prison, use the CDCR inmate locator. That system covers state facilities, not county jails. It's a different database entirely.

Legal Framework

State law requires agencies to record specific details for every arrest. Penal Code 13125 lists what must be documented. That includes personal ID, arrest data, charges, and court outcomes. The goal is to standardize records across California so agencies can share info.

Arrests show up on background checks even if charges are dropped. California allows some records to be sealed or expunged. If your case was dismissed or you completed diversion, you might qualify. Talk to a lawyer about clearing your record. The Sheriff's office can't give legal advice. They just maintain the files.

Court Information

Once someone is booked, their case goes to the Yolo County Superior Court. The court handles arraignments, hearings, and trials. You can look up case status on the court's website. Court records are public but separate from jail records. They cover legal proceedings, not just custody status.

For questions about court dates or case outcomes, contact the court clerk. They have more detailed info than the jail. The jail only knows custody status. The court knows what happened legally in the case.

Victim Notification

If you're a crime victim and want alerts when an offender is released, sign up through VINELink. The system sends emails or texts when custody status changes. It's free and confidential. The inmate won't know you registered. You can sign up for multiple offenders at once.

Cities in Yolo County

The largest city in Yolo County is Davis. Other cities include Woodland, West Sacramento, and Winters. Each has its own police department. But all jail bookings go through the county Sheriff. If someone is arrested by city police, they still get booked at the Monroe Detention Center. There's only one main jail for the county.

Nearby Counties

Yolo County borders Sacramento County, Solano County, Napa County, and Colusa County. If you can't find someone in Yolo, they may be held next door. Check the neighboring counties' databases. Sometimes people get arrested near a county line and booked in the wrong jurisdiction initially.